Abstract
<jats:p>The article presents the results of an analysis of the funerary rite of the group of burials attributed to the Srubnaya Cultural and Historical Community (Late Bronze Age). The burials in question share a common feature in their grave goods sets, namely, each grave contains a set of two metal knives. The nineteen examined burials are located mainly in the Volga middle and lower reaches, The principles behind forming sets of two knives are defined, their important feature is the presence of “universal” and “specialized” tools in each set. The burials show a high degree of similarity of the rite within the selected group. The interred are adult males, who presumably performed both military and priestly functions. The obtained characteristics made it possible to consider the discussed burials as “socially important”.</jats:p>